SHTF Weapon - Need Advice

I've done quite a bit of searching and can't find the advice I'm needing on my situation. I've been looking for a shtf weapon and I've acquired a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 at a great price and it's in even better condition and have started trying to stockpile ammo. I also have a good sidearm which I've started getting ammo put together for it.
Now I'm not a super paranoid person, but I have seen enough that I want to be prepared. I plan on bugging in if/when something happens, so I'm good around the house as far as hunting firearms. But if I have to go out I'd like to have something smaller and compact with semi-auto capability. But here lies my problem.
I know I'll get slammed so I'll say before hand, I'm on kind of a tight budget and I'd like to get it before the end of the year, and there's no way I can spend over a grand on a gun right now AND stock up on the ammo I'd like to have.
That being said, I've got it narrowed down halfway.

First - Norinco SKS - Cheapest, can save money to buy more ammo all the way around.

Second - Century Arms WASR 10 - Still can get a pretty decent price and still be able to get enough rounds to break in and start a stockpile.

Third- AR of some kind; the lower echelon/entry level group like Bushmaster DPMS or I've even considered buying a complete upper from a reputable dealer and putting it together myself to cut out the middle man.

I know I shouldn't be, but I'd really like to buy something before the election because I'm afraid of the price hikes that may occur. I'm not looking for a hunting rifle, just something for self defense in case, God forbid, the need arises. In the future I can either sell or just get a different gun in a different caliber and start from scratch.
Thanks in advance.

We use Mini-14's at work. I like them in the fact that they can be setting inside a guntower for years on end and still shoot like a champ, but they are on par price wise with an AR and with peep sights I don't find them that accurate. I think they're a great looking weapon, and I like the way they handle, but I didn't include them because of the pricetag of accessories and easy availability on parts. I'll give them a look if I can get my local dealer to order one with a decent price.

There's a good possibility that you might be disappointed in the WASR, if the AK platform appeals to you (It's my SHTF primary rifle) then spend a little more and get the Saiga in x39. It's made on the same assembly line as the AK, from new parts and has a much better fit and finish than some rifle thrown together from 25 year old parts kits. Something to think about here.. the new AR platform is a gas piston. Why? Because it works. The AK has always been a gas piston design. Get the one that's been around since 1949...

That being said, an SKS in good shape IS more accurate at longer distance but the x39 round drops off dramatically at a much closer distance than the .223 cartridge, so it kinda depends on the terrain you are thinking about. Here in Missouri there aren't many places you'll get a shot at anything over 100 yards.

You can ask this question 100 times and get 100 different answers, but for an overall SHTF rifle that you can drop in the mud, knock over in the snow/sand/whatever, you can pick up the AK and it'll still function perfectly.

I've done quite a bit of searching and can't find the advice I'm needing on my situation. I've been looking for a shtf weapon and I've acquired a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 at a great price and it's in even better condition and have started trying to stockpile ammo. I also have a good sidearm which I've started getting ammo put together for it.
Now I'm not a super paranoid person, but I have seen enough that I want to be prepared. I plan on bugging in if/when something happens, so I'm good around the house as far as hunting firearms. But if I have to go out I'd like to have something smaller and compact with semi-auto capability. But here lies my problem.
I know I'll get slammed so I'll say before hand, I'm on kind of a tight budget and I'd like to get it before the end of the year, and there's no way I can spend over a grand on a gun right now AND stock up on the ammo I'd like to have.
That being said, I've got it narrowed down halfway.

First - Norinco SKS - Cheapest, can save money to buy more ammo all the way around.

Second - Century Arms WASR 10 - Still can get a pretty decent price and still be able to get enough rounds to break in and start a stockpile.

Third- AR of some kind; the lower echelon/entry level group like Bushmaster DPMS or I've even considered buying a complete upper from a reputable dealer and putting it together myself to cut out the middle man.

I know I shouldn't be, but I'd really like to buy something before the election because I'm afraid of the price hikes that may occur. I'm not looking for a hunting rifle, just something for self defense in case, God forbid, the need arises. In the future I can either sell or just get a different gun in a different caliber and start from scratch.
Thanks in advance.

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I have both the SKS, and the WASR AK, and I love them all. They shoot! One SKS has a folding stock, and the duck bill 30rd mag. The other is stock. They may not be the most accurate rifles out there, but at 150 yds. I can hit a man sized target without a problem. For hunting deer, I would keep my shots inside the 100 yd. mark, they just aren't accurate enough for that clean humane shot at any further distances. As a SHTF weapon at 150 yds, they will work. The 7.6X39 cartridge is comparable with the 30-30 out to about 100 yds. These guns are battle rifles, they are not target rifles.

If you're that concerned about getting it before the election, then put the balance of the purchase on a credit card and make payments. It IS worth it.
Me? I hate credit card use. I try to do as much with cash as possible.

If you don't have a year's worth of food, water and supplies on hand and a supply of silver or barter items already on hand, then having the best bang-whiz SHTF rifle of ANY platform isn't going to mean much anyway.

To tell you the truth , you should get a 12 gauge semi auto filled with 00 buckshot with a a flashlight somewhere on it. Also the extra shotshell holster on the stock. Most likely you wont need just 1 right shot and the threat will be over. Good Luck with what you buy. Hopefully nothing bad ever happens but you never know when some idiot wants to invade your house.

Get whatever you can on your budget. The SKS is a good choice if you don't have a lot of cash. Sure, AK's and AR's are nice, but they cost. You could go ahead and build an AR - that's what I'm working on. Complete lower receiver with stock can be had for $109 with free shipping. The upper is more problematical. I'm looking to find one in the 250 range and I'm still looking.

Shotgun is great for a home defense weapon but packing 500 rounds of ammo aint happening for most people without pulling a wagon behind them.
I carried an AR platform rifle for 15 years, they are just now starting to improve them with the gas piston design. I prefer the AK...

I'd stick with SKS/AK or the Mosin Nagant, an AR will get spendy way too quickly.

Mosin gets my vote just feeling out what you're after or the SKS; those will net you the most bang for your buck. Mosin has more power and accuracy potential but not the capacity or speed of the autoloader.

I'd stick with SKS/AK or the Mosin Nagant, an AR will get spendy way too quickly.

Mosin gets my vote just feeling out what you're after or the SKS; those will net you the most bang for your buck. Mosin has more power and accuracy potential but not the capacity or speed of the autoloader.